How Much Should Couples Budget for Their Honeymoon?

In the depths of budgeting for a wedding, it can be tempting to treat the honeymoon as an afterthought. But the honeymoon is often the biggest vacation of your life so far, and the price tag depends enormously on what kind of trip you choose! A week at an all-inclusive resort, a Michigan road trip, and a private safari are three completely different budgets, and the earlier you know which one fits you, the easier everything else becomes.

In this guide, we’re breaking down what couples really spend on honeymoons, how costs shake out by trip style, and how to stretch your budget with miles, points, and smart timing.

How Much Do Couples Spend on Their Honeymoon on Average?

According to The Knot’s Real Weddings Study, the average honeymoon costs about $5,300, and couples spend roughly seven days away. Other 2026 industry sources put the figure higher, with Joy estimating the average US honeymoon at around $6,500. The truth is that “average” hides a huge range. Plenty of couples spend under $2,000 on a long weekend, while others spend well past $15,000 on a multi-week adventure.

It’s also worth noting that honeymoons are claiming a bigger slice of the overall budget. Honeyfund’s 2026 survey data puts the average at 26 percent of a couple’s total wedding and honeymoon budget, with about a third of couples spending more than half on the trip. A simple starting point: decide what share of your combined budget you want to devote to the honeymoon, then pick the trip style that fits that number instead of the other way around.

Below is what to expect from each major trip style. Treat these as planning ranges for a week for two, since flights, season, and destination can move them up or down. Our wedding budget planner can help you slot the honeymoon in next to your other wedding costs.

All-Inclusive Honeymoons

Typical range: $4,000 to $10,000 for a week

With an all-inclusive resort, most of the budget comes up front. You pay for the resort and your flights, and once you arrive, food and drinks are already covered. Caribbean and Mexico all-inclusives commonly land in the $4,000 to $8,000 range for a week, with luxury and adults-only resorts climbing toward $10,000 or more.

The advantage is predictability. You know your biggest costs before you leave, and there is very little decision fatigue once you land. What’s left to budget for is the extras: excursions (a guided day tour typically runs $100 to $300 per person), spa treatments, souvenirs, airport transfers if they aren’t included, and tips for resort staff. A good rule of thumb is to set aside $500 to $1,000 for extras on a week-long stay so a few special experiences don’t feel like overspending.

Non-All-Inclusive Resort and Hotel Honeymoons

Typical range: $3,500 to $9,000 for a week

This style covers beach resorts, boutique hotels, and city stays where you pay for lodging separately and then eat, drink, and explore on your own. A standard hotel room runs roughly $150 to $300 a night, while luxury properties can run $500 to $1,000 or more. Add flights, then budget for food on top: casual meals often cost $15 to $40 per person, while special-occasion dinners can run far higher.

This approach costs less in destinations with affordable dining and lodging, and can cost more than an all-inclusive if you love cocktails and nice restaurants. It offers the most flexibility, since you decide each day how much to spend. Plan on a daily spending budget for food, drinks, and activities, and track it so there are no surprises when you get home.

Road Trip Honeymoons

Typical range: $1,500 to $4,500 for a week

Skipping flights is the biggest budget lever you have, which makes road trips one of the most affordable honeymoon styles. Your main costs are gas, lodging, food, and activities. If you rent a car instead of driving your own, expect about $30 to $80 per day plus fuel, and plan for a mix of splurge nights at romantic inns and more budget-friendly stops in between.

Michigan is a great place to build one. A loop up the Lake Michigan coast through Saugatuck, Traverse City, and Petoskey, then across the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula, gives you beaches, wine country, and waterfalls without a single plane ticket. If you want specific ideas, our guides to a Traverse City honeymoon and an Upper Peninsula honeymoon are perfect starting points.

Adventure Honeymoons

Typical range: $4,000 to $12,000 for a week to ten days

Adventure honeymoons include hiking and trekking trips, national park circuits, scuba and snorkel getaways, and multi-sport itineraries in places like Costa Rica, Iceland, or New Zealand. Costs vary widely because lodging can swing from campgrounds and mountain huts to luxury eco-lodges, and because equipment rentals, park fees, and guided activities add up quickly. Many guided activities run $100 to $300 per person per day, with special experiences like helicopter tours, private tastings, or couples’ spa treatments running $200 to $800 or more. To keep costs manageable, mix self-guided days with a couple of splurge excursions, choose accommodations that include breakfast, and travel in the shoulder season when lodging rates drop.

Private Guide and Safari Honeymoons

Typical range: $9,000 to $25,000 or more for 10 to 14 days

Private guide trips, from Tanzania and Kenya safaris to custom-guided journeys through Italy or Japan, are the top of the budget range, and for good reason. You get a dedicated guide, a private vehicle, and an itinerary designed entirely around you. A mid-range private safari typically runs $350 to $600 per person per day, compared with roughly $200 to $350 per person for a group departure. A 10-day mid-range Tanzania honeymoon combining safari and a Zanzibar beach stay runs roughly $7,000 to $14,000 per couple before international flights, and luxury versions can reach $14,000 to $25,000 or more.

On these trips, a surprising amount is usually bundled in, including park fees, game drives, internal flights, and meals at the lodge. Still, plan on tips for guides and camp staff, travel insurance, and visas, and keep in mind that international flights are often a separate and significant line item.

Cruise Honeymoons

Typical range: $3,000 to $8,000 for a week

Cruises bundle lodging, most meals, entertainment, and transportation between destinations into one price, much like an all-inclusive resort that moves. Cabin category is the biggest cost driver (an interior room costs far less than a balcony suite). Budget extra for specialty dining, drink packages, shore excursions, gratuities, and flights to your departure port.

Mini-Moons and Staycations

Typical range: $500 to $2,000 for a long weekend

Not every couple wants to take a full honeymoon right after the wedding. A mini-moon is a short getaway immediately after the wedding, with the bigger trip saved for a later date, such as your first anniversary. A staycation or in-state getaway, say a few nights at a lakefront inn or a boutique hotel in a Michigan city, can feel just as romantic for a fraction of the cost.

Don’t Forget the Extras

Whichever trip style you choose, a handful of costs routinely sneak up on couples. Travel insurance usually runs 4 to 10 percent of your total trip cost depending on coverage. Other add-ons include passport or visa fees, airport parking or rideshares, checked bags, tips, resort fees, and foreign transaction fees. A cushion of 10 to 15 percent on top of your base budget keeps these from becoming a stressful surprise.

Tips for Saving Money on Your Honeymoon

With smart planning, couples can often cut honeymoon costs significantly. These strategies make the biggest difference:

1. Use airline miles and credit card points. Start collecting early. Putting wedding expenses on a rewards credit card (only if you can pay the balance in full every month) can generate a surprising number of miles and points, and sign-up bonuses on travel cards can cover a flight or two on their own. Transfer partners and airline award charts vary, so check before you book.

2. Redeem hotel points and loyalty perks. Hotel loyalty programs often offer free night certificates, suite upgrades, and late checkouts. When you mention you’re newlyweds, many properties will add welcome touches like a room upgrade, champagne, or a dining credit.

3. Travel in the shoulder or off-peak season. Flying and staying just outside the busiest weeks can slash costs dramatically. Many couples save 30 to 40 percent through off-peak travel timing, advance booking, and bundled packages.

4. Pick a budget-friendly destination. Your money goes much further in places with a favorable exchange rate and affordable dining and lodging. Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, and much of Southeast Asia deliver big romance for a moderate price. Closer to home, a domestic road trip or in-state getaway can be exceptional value.

5. Be flexible with dates and airports. Midweek flights are often cheaper than weekends, and nearby airports can have lower fares. Fare alert tools make it easy to spot a drop.

6. Set up a honeymoon registry. Many couples ask guests to contribute toward flights, a special dinner, or an excursion in place of traditional gifts. It’s a fun way to turn gift money into a trip you’ll remember. You can also read our guide on modern wedding registry alternatives for more ideas.

7. Book the big pieces early, save on the small ones later. Lock in flights and lodging as soon as your dates are firm, then leave room in the budget for spontaneous tours and dinners once you’re there.

8. Consider combining your wedding and honeymoon. If you’re planning a destination wedding, staying on a few extra days can double as your honeymoon and save on a second round of flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should we budget for a honeymoon? The national average is about $5,300 to $6,500, but the right number depends on your trip style and your overall wedding budget. Many couples devote around 26 percent of their combined wedding and honeymoon budget to the trip.

How long is the average honeymoon? About seven days, according to The Knot, though roughly a quarter of couples take one to two weeks, and many choose a shorter mini-moon right after the wedding.

Is an all-inclusive honeymoon cheaper? Often, yes, especially if you plan to eat and drink a lot at the resort, since most costs are paid upfront. The tradeoff is less flexibility to explore local restaurants, so decide how much you want to venture off property.

When should we book our honeymoon? Ideally 6 to 12 months before the wedding, particularly for international trips, peak-season travel, and safaris, which can book out even earlier.

Whether your dream honeymoon is a Lake Michigan road trip or a once-in-a-lifetime safari, the best budget is the one you build on purpose. Decide how much of your total budget the trip deserves, pick the style that fits, and use miles, points, and off-peak timing to stretch every dollar.

Still building the wedding side of your plan? Browse Nearlywed’s Michigan wedding vendor directory to find the pros who will make your day unforgettable, then start packing.